Student research aims to benefit Emporia’s business community

January 23, 2013

A project to evaluate what Emporia State students look for from local merchants provided hands-on experience for a marketing class and real-world data for city leaders.

Students in the graduate-level course, Marketing Strategy, taught by Dr. Kevin Coulson worked with the City of Emporia and Emporia Main Street to determine what Emporia State students expect in terms of goods, services and entertainment from merchants in downtown Emporia.

“The research showed that there is growth potential for both retail and restaurant venues, although more research is needed to precisely identify specific markets,” wrote Dr. JoLanna Kord, director of Emporia State’s Office of Institutional Research who released an executive summary with Coulson, associate professor and director of the ESU School of Business Focus Group Lab.